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Hearings on Customs Regulation

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): June 18, 1997 - President Jacob Nena has informed Governor Ansito Walter, Chuuk State in a June 13, 1997 communication that representatives from the FSM National Government, the Department of Finance, Attorney General's Office and Economic Management Policy Advisory Team (EMPAT), to conduct public hearings on the proposed Customs regulations relative to Public Law No. 9-139 enacted by the FSM Congress on December 9, 1996 and became law on February 14, 1997 without the signature of the FSM President.

The FSM Government delegation would like to meet with as many people as possible, both public and private group. Under the new Customs law, PL 9-139, every item or goods that entering the FSM will be subject to import tax regardless of for what purpose it is to be used. The new law only allow exception to imports of certain item by any level of government in the FSM.

President Nena requested Governor Walter to indicate whether the date of June 30th to July 2, 1997, would be convenient for the delegation to hold public hearings and if so, Nena requested Walter's assistance in arranging meeting schedules for the delegation while they are in Chuuk State.